Study phase:

During the early phases (phases 1 and 2), researchers assess safety, side effects, optimal dosages and risks/benefits. In the later phase (phase 3), researchers study whether the treatment works better than the current standard therapy. They also compare the safety of the new treatment with that of current treatments. Phase 3 trials include large numbers of people to make sure that the result is valid. There are also less common very early (phase 0) and later (phase 4) phases. Phase 0 trials are small trials that help researchers decide if a new agent should be tested in a phase 1 trial. Phase 4 trials look at long-term safety and effectiveness, after a new treatment has been approved and is on the market.

About this study

This randomized phase II trial studies how well standard systemic chemotherapy followed by intensified radiochemotherapy or standard radiochemotherapy preceded by intensified systemic chemotherapy works compared to standard systemic chemotherapy followed by standard radiochemotherapy in treating patients with pancreatic cancer that cannot be removed by surgery. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as gemcitabine hydrochloride or FOLFIRINOX, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Drugs, such as capecitabine, may make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Giving radiation therapy in different ways and adding chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells. It is not yet known whether standard systemic chemotherapy followed by standard radiochemotherapy is more effective than standard systemic chemotherapy followed by intensified radiochemotherapy or standard radiochemotherapy preceded by intensified systemic chemotherapy in treating pancreatic cancer.

Medical records research — uses historical information collected from medical records of large groups of people to study how diseases progress and which treatments and surgeries work best.

About this study

This study will evaluate feasibility and acceptability of providing the Dignity Therapy/Life Plan intervention to newly-diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients presenting for initial chemotherapy in the outpatient medical oncology setting. Investigators hypothesize that providing dignity therapy to this population will be feasible.

Study phase:

During the early phases (phases 1 and 2), researchers assess safety, side effects, optimal dosages and risks/benefits. In the later phase (phase 3), researchers study whether the treatment works better than the current standard therapy. They also compare the safety of the new treatment with that of current treatments. Phase 3 trials include large numbers of people to make sure that the result is valid. There are also less common very early (phase 0) and later (phase 4) phases. Phase 0 trials are small trials that help researchers decide if a new agent should be tested in a phase 1 trial. Phase 4 trials look at long-term safety and effectiveness, after a new treatment has been approved and is on the market.

About this study

This is a multicenter, open-label, Phase 1, dose escalation trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of TH-302 in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel in previously untreated subjects with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Medical records research — uses historical information collected from medical records of large groups of people to study how diseases progress and which treatments and surgeries work best.

About this study

To document impact of EUS-FNA needle size and flexibility on effectiveness of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCL) aspiration, on ability to obtain sufficient material for standard diagnostic testing, and on diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA aspirate for differentiation of mucinous (pre-malignant) and non-mucinous cysts.

Study phase:

During the early phases (phases 1 and 2), researchers assess safety, side effects, optimal dosages and risks/benefits. In the later phase (phase 3), researchers study whether the treatment works better than the current standard therapy. They also compare the safety of the new treatment with that of current treatments. Phase 3 trials include large numbers of people to make sure that the result is valid. There are also less common very early (phase 0) and later (phase 4) phases. Phase 0 trials are small trials that help researchers decide if a new agent should be tested in a phase 1 trial. Phase 4 trials look at long-term safety and effectiveness, after a new treatment has been approved and is on the market.

About this study

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of gemcitabine hydrochloride in treating patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as gemcitabine hydrochloride, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.

Medical records research — uses historical information collected from medical records of large groups of people to study how diseases progress and which treatments and surgeries work best.

About this study

RATIONALE: Gathering medical information and collecting and storing samples of blood and tissue to test in the laboratory may help doctors develop better ways to screen people at risk for pancreatic cancer or other pancreatic disorders in the future.

PURPOSE: This clinical trial is collecting medical information and tissue samples from patients with pancreatic cancer or other pancreatic disorders.

Gemcitabine Hydrochloride with or without Erlotinib Hydrochloride Followed by the Same Chemotherapy Regimen with or without Radiation Therapy and Capecitabine or Fluorouracil in Treating Patients with Pancreatic Cancer that has been Removed by Surgery

Study phase:

During the early phases (phases 1 and 2), researchers assess safety, side effects, optimal dosages and risks/benefits. In the later phase (phase 3), researchers study whether the treatment works better than the current standard therapy. They also compare the safety of the new treatment with that of current treatments. Phase 3 trials include large numbers of people to make sure that the result is valid. There are also less common very early (phase 0) and later (phase 4) phases. Phase 0 trials are small trials that help researchers decide if a new agent should be tested in a phase 1 trial. Phase 4 trials look at long-term safety and effectiveness, after a new treatment has been approved and is on the market.

About this study

This randomized phase II-R/III trial studies gemcitabine hydrochloride with or without erlotinib hydrochloride followed by the same chemotherapy regimen with or without radiation therapy and capecitabine or fluorouracil in treating patients with pancreatic cancer that was removed by surgery. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as gemcitabine hydrochloride, capecitabine, and fluorouracil, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Erlotinib hydrochloride may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Giving chemotherapy together with or without erlotinib hydrochloride and/or radiation therapy after surgery may kill any tumor cells that remain after surgery. It is not yet known whether chemotherapy is more effective when given with or without erlotinib hydrochloride and/or radiation therapy in treating pancreatic cancer.

Study phase:

During the early phases (phases 1 and 2), researchers assess safety, side effects, optimal dosages and risks/benefits. In the later phase (phase 3), researchers study whether the treatment works better than the current standard therapy. They also compare the safety of the new treatment with that of current treatments. Phase 3 trials include large numbers of people to make sure that the result is valid. There are also less common very early (phase 0) and later (phase 4) phases. Phase 0 trials are small trials that help researchers decide if a new agent should be tested in a phase 1 trial. Phase 4 trials look at long-term safety and effectiveness, after a new treatment has been approved and is on the market.

About this study

Laboratory studies suggest that the study drug may stop cancer cells from growing by affecting an interaction between proteins in the cells referred to as cAMP-response element-binding protein and ß-catenin.

The purpose of this research study is to determine the highest safe dose of study drug that may be used when it is given together with a chemotherapy drug to patients with cancer of the pancreas.

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